BELMONT NOTEBOOK
JUNE 4, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There was no graded action at Belmont Park last week.
Track Stats
A total of 37 races were held at the Elmont, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 27 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 49
percent of the wins during the week. From 17 races on the main oval, three
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent), while two of the 20 grassy
races were taken all the way on the lead (10 percent).
The turf course favored closers for most of the week but early types did
especially well on Sunday, with a pair of winners and two others who were close
up in the early stages. Of the two wire jobs, one was in a dash and the other a
route run.
Speed was not favored this past week, as all three wire-to-wire winners on
the dirt came in sprint events. We will see how things unfold early this week to
see if there are any biases over the big weekend.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 233 | |
| DIRT: | 123 | |
| TURF: | 110 | |
| FAVORITES: | 89 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 52 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 22 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 31 (25 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (5/28)
3RD — IL MULINO (Elusive Quality) led to midstretch and stayed on pretty
well late in finishing a solid third in her first run since the fall. The
sophomore miss likely needed the outing and should improve in her second
appearance of the season.
8TH — SENTIERO ITALIA (Medaglia d’Oro) put in a big move in early stretch
and strode home a convincing two-length winner of this turf test for trainer
Kiaran McLaughlin. The three-year-old miss has now won two in succession on this
circuit and looks close to evolving into a stakes runner.
Friday (5/29)
3RD — MYLUTE (Midnight Lute) showed little signs of rust in his first run
since summer, posting a superb allowance tally for new trainer Todd Pletcher.
The five-year-old gray earned a hefty BRIS 107 Speed number for his work and
could be a fixture in the handicap ranks in the Empire State this summer.
8TH — Shug McGaughey’s FACE THE MUSIC (Stormy Atlantic) was well back early
but full of run late in pulling away inside of the final furlong in a sharp
score. The three-year-old colt came home in a brisk :22 flat and could be stakes
bound in the very near future.
Saturday (5/30)
4TH — BOSTON STRONG (Pioneerof the Nile) showed nice improvement off his
previous run, just missing with a nice late run in this allowance heat. The John
Terranova trainee looms large in his subsequent outing with anything like this
effort.
7TH — CAPRIANA (Street Boss) made a big move approaching and into the turn,
and then held off a stern test late, to win at first asking under John
Velazquez. The Pletcher pupil was well backed in this run and delivered, and the
filly could be a nice one with more seasoning.
8TH — We tabbed GLOBAL POSITIONING (Malibu Moon) after his last and he
delivered like a good thing in this dash, powering home a decisive winner under
the wire. The Mike Hushion trainee is surely of stakes quality on his best days
and might be headed in that direction in the very near future.
Sunday (5/31)
5TH — DRAFT DAY (Kitten’s Joy) was always in the mix, opened up a big edge
nearing midstretch and kept his foes at bay late in securing a fine score
beneath Angel Cruz. The three-year-old is trained by John Terranova, who rarely
wins first-time out, and the colt could be a nice one going forward.
6TH — LADY ELI (Divine Park) was behind a very slow pace but still showed
her superb acceleration late to remain unbeaten for trainer Chad Brown. The
three-year-old filly is as genuine as they come and looking forward to her next
engagement in the July 4 Belmont Oaks (G1).
A Look Ahead
The signature day of the spring meeting at Belmont Park is Saturday, led by
the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1). Also on tap for this superb day of racing
is the $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap (G1); $1 million Ogden Phipps Stakes
(G1); $1 million Manhattan Handicap (G1); $750,000 Acorn Stakes (G1); $700,000
Just A Game Stakes (G1); $500,000 Woddy Stephens Stakes (G2); $400,000 Brooklyn
Invitational (G2); and $300,000 Jaipur Invitational Stakes (G3).
The Friday card will be led by a pair of Grade 2 events, the $300,000 New
York Stakes and $250,000 True North Handicap.